Naomi Schultz - I understand the problem. As I said before, I am a designer and a realtor and live in the Northeast. I currently have a 20 plus year old high end cherry kitchen, (subzero, etc.) and I am ripping out my cabinets for white ones. I went back and forth 20 years ago and should have done the white then (husband liked the cherry, but then most men do prefer stained wood). Trends will come and go but white cabinets are classic and never go out of style. That's why I'm ripping mine out. A friend of mine (who I didn't know 20 years ago) did her kitchen the same time I did mine. She opted for white cabinets, carrara marble, and subway tile with her hardwood floors. Her kitchen still looks fabulous and was photographed not too long ago for Architectural Digest. Mine looks like it was from the 90's (which it is), because I chose cherry, and corian which were trending at that time. Never again will I follow current trends in kitchens and baths. In terms of yellowing and chipping, I renovated my master bath 10 years ago. I put in white cabinets, subway tile and marble counters. Everything still looks beautiful, and people continually tell me how stunning it is. I have had no chipping or yellowing so far but it is a bathroom. A lot depends on your painter and the prep and products he uses. There is a lot of information online about process and product. Here in the Northeast, my painter will only use oil based Fine Paints of Europe to do kitchens. In terms of UV protection, I think it is a water based poly (which doesn't yellow), but is also far less durable for a floor. I am choosing to go with dark floors so I can still have the durability of oil based poly without noticing any yellowing. Good Luck.

Thanks so much Design Girl. I relate a lot to everything you said. The preference among my peers (and pinterest) is white cabinets which would also just open up my world in terms of choices.

I have seen and saved many pics of cherry cabinets as well, and spent months looking for floors to no avail. I do think cherry can look pretty and updated with light quartz counters, white subway tile backsplash and all other updates. It's just the floors are killing me. I dont want anything that might darken like cherry or yellow over time and all the competing grains are a challenge as well. We also arent spending a fortune..thinking 6 dollars a square foot max which is also limiting.

Some mentioned taking down wall which has also been an ongoing point of indecision. It would make our entire main floor open (our downstairs is also entirely open) so the only rooms would be bedroom and bathroom. I think it may be too much particularly with keeping everything picked up, and I also need to hide from my kids sometimes too lol. But I certainly thought about it and perhaps something we would do way down the line if still in the house.

You sound paralyzed with this decision and I am sure there is a hardwood out there that will coordinate with your cherry cabinets. I would hire a designer to help you find the correct hardwood with the best complimentary finish. They will know more regarding hardwood type and finish combinations.

I disagree that your beautiful wood cabinets are "out of date" or "not timeless." However, the finishes you use in conjunction with those cabinets will date your cabinetry, like countertop, hardware, fixtures, and backsplash. If you do anything with a great design eye it should stand the test of time.

Then, select finishes for your counter, backsplash, and paint color.

Its not your cabinets its everything around them. If you paint them you will still have to address everything else. Do not paint those cabinets. Change the counter and backsplash first.

I absolutely plan to do that. The floors have to be addressed though which is the sticking point. The cabinets by themselves are fine.

" Would NOT paint cabinets. Not sure why but even when "professionally" done, cabinets painted (after being stained & installed) always look cheap and DIY. "

LOL!! Nonsense. Some folks will never ever like painted cabinets. Some will always prefer them over stained wood. I could be happy with either, as long as the wood was a cool light natural tone - NO browns or reds or oranges in my kitchen - NO thanks.

So for ME, the answer is PAINT THE CABINETS. I painted my own, many many long days to do it right, and 2.5 years later, it still looks fabulous!!

@calidesign: I have a raised ranch as well and the wall between the living area and kitchen is a retaining one so not inexpensive to remove. I strongly suspect OP's wall is a retaining one as well. I've seen flips in my area where they remove this wall and I don't think it adds value to the house at all. It makes it feel less spacious, imo.

Naomi, since you're contemplating selling in six years or so, have you been looking at houses in your surrounding area? What type of flooring do you see in kitchens? You must have come across a kitchen with similar cabinets?

If you can, prime the walls white first, so you can get one huge color block out of the way. If diy is out of the question, then maybe cover the red soffit with white paper and the red wall with a white sheet or something, just so you can get a fresh look.

Next, one unified floor will be so much better, regardless of whatever else you do. It's the easiest way to make the whole house look great with no effort required. I agree with upthread poster about the white oak - affordable, plentiful, stains beautifully, especially if you wanted to go very light. I think you might be very surprised at how much it doesn't clash once it's in.

Next, the cabinets -

Pros for keeping them as is:

1. Cheaper, so you can spend more on counters, backsplash, hardware, and lighting (or just save money;))

2. Warm wood cabinets are coming back into style, anyway

3. I'm not for or against wood cabinets in general, but (from the pictures) these look exceptional - truly classic and truly PRETTY. If you change their surroundings and add some hardware, interior fittings and drawer lights, maybe you will appreciate them again?

4. Matching is overrated. Wall color, backsplash, area rugs, lighting, etc., are all going to be in the mix. Just getting enough contrast between the cabinets and floors will be enough.

5. If I were a buyer, I would prefer unpainted wood cabinets in good condition, even if I didn't like them, because I know the paint isn't hiding anything.

All that said, though....if you really want white cabinets, then go for it! Just don't go for it because it's "safe" - do it because you want to have a white kitchen! That is totally valid.

(Also, it's outside the scope of your question, but I agree with a previous comment that you could take down that dividing wall first, but many people prefer a separate kitchen, understandable)

In the Northeast, natural cherry cabinets are making a huge comeback. Nothing wrong with white cabinets, but they are becoming rather dated. I know a lot of people who are very unhappy with their white kitchens. They can't seem to get the Pinterest look they wanted. That said - I am putting white cabinets in my beach house. I am not doing it because of trends. White cabinets are a personal favorite of mine and work very well with the style of my house.

I would chose the cabinets and floors that complement your house and your style. That is what really works and remains timeless. Not another generic white kitchen.

Quality cabinets can always be updated with appliances, hardware, and backsplashes.

Heck, I remember when Tuscan kitchens were called timeless and classic. LOL.

Think about how you live. What you really like.

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/ireland-in-ct-victorian-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~2536755]

Oh, my! That is one gorgeous kitchen, anna_682. Those cabinets are beyond lovely. Lovely example of the power of a well designed colour palette.

I have this pic saved already! Its is beautiful. Looks like grey tile on the floor.

Same designer:

[img]https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dd832_00936079942442aa8902be9bd7106526~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_594,h_732,al_c,lg_1,q_85/9dd832_00936079942442aa8902be9bd7106526~mv2.webp[/img]

[img]https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dd832_2a7216f174e640ce9068eeb7d64396be~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_726,h_648,al_c,q_85/9dd832_2a7216f174e640ce9068eeb7d64396be~mv2.webp[/img]

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dd832_c041bab65c8a403abb9737f76af71e37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_863,h_648,al_c,q_85/9dd832_c041bab65c8a403abb9737f76af71e37~mv2.webp

mdln , well you know what they say about opinions. We all have one.

As for white kitchens "becoming rather dated", LOL!!!

https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/kitchen/why-white-kitchens-stand-test-time/

Chessie - Love the article - White is NEVER dated and always in style.

Those cherry cabinets are the nicest element in your house from what I can see in the photos. Give up the idea of wood floors in the kitchen and start looking at higher end sheet vinyl. Then put whatever hardwood that you love everywhere there is mauve carpet. Replace the counters & backsplash.

https://www.armstrongflooring.com/residential/en-us/vinyl-flooring/vinyl-sheet/cushion-step-better/item/B3090.html

Vinyl butting up to hardwood would look horrible and be a huge mistake IMO - It would really emphasize that the kitchen floor is really just plastic. Anyway OP already has laminate - why put in another plastic product.

ci-lantro said it. The cabinets are the best part of that kitchen! White is of course classic--but used when the wood is builders grade, more often than not. Why lose their worth?

Because the consensus is that the same floor should be throughout upstairs and I've exhausted everyone around me and myself searching for them. If someone could show me a nice wood floor, lighter than cabinets, that didnt clash or cost a fortune I would consider it. Here is what I've tried:

Red oak, natural and many stains - grain too strong with cabinets, looks like a wood shop

White oak natural - Literally clashes. There's almost a green undertone that looks terrible with cabinets

Maple - Probably best but I dont want them yellowing in a year. Also dont love them, but could live, but then why am I installing floors I dont love that will outlast the cabinets? But probably best choice.

Birch - Same issues as oak

Havent tried cherry but wasnt that an early 2000s rage?. And doesnt it darken with time just like the cabinets have?

Walnut is $$$

I appreciate that the cabinets are nice but we will never update our house at this point because of them. Unless we do tile in kitchen and hardwood elsewhere or just paint them white and then can do ANY wood floor everywhere.

I'll add we are absolutely planning to update counters, backsplash, hardware and paint. And while I'm so excited to do those things the choices will depend on the color of the cabinets...arghhhhh!

Have you considered bamboo? Not a hardwood and I'm not sure how it fares in a kitchen. Alternatively, I'd consider marmoleum for the kitchen and hardwood everywhere else. I regret the tile in my kitchen and would not recommend it.

All that said, if I were moving in a few years, I wouldn't sink a huge amount into a kitchen and I wouldn't consider redoing floors in a kitchen unless I found it optimally functional. (If I had your kitchen, I'd want more storage.)

You've never stated what your budget is.

Red oak, natural and many stains - grain too strong with cabinets, looks like a wood shop

But have you considered rift sawn red oak? The grain is much less busy in rift sawn.

But, yeh, with wood floors & cherry cabinets, it is going to look woodsy. That is why I suggested a light gray slate/ slate look. You don't have an open floor plan so it's easier to switch up floors in a semi-closed plan. You're probably thinking it is OK to have a different floor in the bathrooms & laundry room, yes?

My neighbors put a terrific looking stone look sheet vinyl in their closed kitchen. Abutting the kitchen is a high end dark wood vinyl plank that blends with the colors of the kitchen floor. Said neighbor is a designer/ gallery owner who works on a lot of high end projects.

You have a nice home but it is modest compared to a lot of the homes we see on this forum. I'm not seeing high ceilings, expensive millwork, recessed lighting... I'm seeing a nice family home where uber expensive finishes are not required &, frankly, it would be not so smart to invest in them because you would likely be over-improving.

However, your kitchen cabinets are outstanding. They appear to be quality, decent grain matching in the wood and nice full overlay design. Paint them white and you will cheapen them & end up with just another cookie cutter white kitchen with brown floors. It's a formula look, like bed in a bag. Marble look counters will then be requisite. With a white subway tile backsplash. Over. Done. It's no longer fresh, 'timeless' has become Trendy and this trend is long in the tooth and, frankly, I find it boring as all get out.

What about something like this?

I agree with ci_lantro about having a realistic budget for finishes that make sense for your house in your area. Whenever we renovate, it's a good idea to browse the local market to see what's being done in the neighbourhood, especially if we know we'll be selling in less than ten years.

Naomi Schultz, I actually think you've answered you own question. You don't like any of your floor choices with your cabinets (I don't blame you). Since you'll have hardwood throughout the first floor that will add tremendous value to your home, I would select a hardwood in a stain color you love. You'll be seeing them in all other rooms in the house and you want to love them, not compromise to match something that can easily be changed. There are so many people who tell you not to paint your cabinets, but white cabinets have been used since the 1920's and will continue to be used for another 100 years plus. They are never dated or out of style. If you haven't already check out the link that Chessie added in her post above. Todays trends are just that "trends", which means in 5 - 8 years, they will be dated and something else will be the newest trend. Remember the vessel sink? I think that the white cabinets will open up a whole new choice of options that you're going to LOVE. WHITE CABINETS ARE NEVER GOING OUT OF STYLE.

Wood Kitchen at Monticello

To my novice eye, your kitchen looks dated because of the counters and backsplash.

I love the look of a white kitchen, but I make such a mess when I cook that I appreciate the camoflage effect that natural wood cabinets offer. :). But if you were to paint the cabinets white, what wood floors do you like?

I also think that the dark red on the walls isnt helping the situation, something lighter and more neutral might change your mind on the cabinets. I had a designer recommend BM Pale Oak for a room with Cherry cabinets. You mentioned eventually repainting as part of the overall remodel, but there could be value in doing a fresh paint now.

Naomi Schultz - Check out this old thread before and after - She pulled the plug and painted - She loves it. Worth checking out.

I think painted cabinets will look awesome and here is how I painted mine.. https://bushraslifestyle.com/before-and-after-kitchen-makeover/

https://bushraslifestyle.com/diy-modern-farmhouse-vanity/

FWIW, I was torn between white cabinets and natural cherry when we did our kitchen in our kitchen in the early 2000s, so I used both! Same shaker style, same manufacturer, etc. Fast forward to 2019 -- the paint has not held up; I must constantly do touchups on those white cabinets because the paint chips at the edges and is sensitive to moisture. So while they have a clean look, they have turned out to be very high maintenance.... disappointing. MEANWHILE the cherry wood cabinets still look just about as good as new and require little attention or care!

Therefore, I always caution people about painting any wood cabinets. (Especially a pretty hardwood like cherry....)

Karenmo your white caninets were manufactured or painted?

I just will never find a hardwood floor that goes. Unless I went darker than the cabinets which I know isnt ideal. So I'd have to break up and tile half the upstairs which would flow into wood in the living room.

Naomi, our cabinets came from the manufacturer with the white finish. After much frustration, I called the kitchen place where we bought them and they had their cabinet finish guy stop by. He tutored me in his touchup tricks, which I appreciated, but he basically told me that the gradual deterioration is just the nature of painted cabinets in kitchens.... or painted finishes in any hard use environment.

I'd revisit the white oak for the floors. There are different cuts of wood and different levels of quality; some might clash and others might not. You will also have a different effect with floors that are finished in place compared to the pre-finished ones. There is a really good flooring guy here on Houzz -- maybe post your question with the key wood of flooring and he will chime in!

Or -- Keep in mind that sheet vinyl can be a really economical and low maintenance solution. Also very easy to install if your space is less than 12 feet in one dimension so you can do a "dry lay" install (which is also pretty easy to change later). But yeah, it is plastic. Let it ventilate outside a long time before installing.

Here is a photo of our natural cherry cabinets next to a white oak floor. This flooring was finished in place with a clear polyurethane, no stain.

That looks good, I dont know why it is the white oak I've brought home with no stain doesnt look like that. It has a greenish undertone that clashes. Are there different kinds of white oak? I think I've exhausted all the flooring stores in the area.

I dont know why it is the white oak I've brought home with no stain doesnt look like that.

You brought the samples home during the summer, the windows were uncovered and the leaf canopy outdoors reflected green? And the red walls amplified it?

(I think you're making a mistake of trying to choose flooring before covering up that red paint.)

As to comments about what makes the kitchen look dated--I agree that the backsplash is a big contributor. The counters, too, but not so much. IMO, the soffits/ bulkhead over the cabinets are the biggest offender. If there is no reason for the soffits (like plumbing), then get them gone. This will also fix the problem area over the refrigerator where it looks like an over the fridge cabinet was removed to make room for a new, taller refrigerator. If you can remove the soffits, add some crown moulding (simple, not elaborate) to finish off the top of the cabinets.

Add some LED tape lights to the glass front cabinet.

If you're worried about color changes in real wood flooring, as mentioned above, make sure the floor coating is UV resistant. Get window coverings; keep them closed. Get rid of any & all fluorescent lighting. I'm not seeing any except possibly the lights on the over the stove microwave?

Or consider vinyl plank flooring...the stone composite vinyl planks. Or tile (looks like you have small children; tile floors don't make for a soft landing), or sheet vinyl...

Naomi, I've not responded so far, but some are pushing you hard towards THEIR choice. They might do it with the very best intentions, but still, to me they push way too much.

You don't have to have a white kitchen! And you don't have to keep the cherry one either!

Both are nice and valuable in their own way.

My opinion: I'd update everything else in the kitchen first and get rid of the very darkening wall color. The hardwood floor I truly like, would be my purchase for the rest of the house, except the kitchen. I'd go for a high-end classic tile in the kitchen, that combines well with the cherry cabinets and doesn't bite the hardwood floors.

After all: wood is coming in again and when all kitchens elsewhere are painted white, it might be the lucky find of the year in 6 years time to find a untouched cherry kitchen. If however the market still dictates white by then, you can still paint the cabinets. For now it sort of looks like the other way might happen.

So my extra advice would be to choose that kitchen tile, that is wonderful with the cherry and still would look good with white painted cabinets as well.

By the way: I've had it both. A white kitchen with a wooden floor and a wooden/grey kitchen with tiles on the floor. I never want wooden floors in the kitchen again. Give me tiles 100% of the time. And although my white kitchen was beautiful, this time I chose one with wood in it again. Somehow it is more cozy.

Whatever you decide, let it be your heartfelt decision. Take all our opinions and advise as that. They are not mandatory to take. Weigh your options carefully. You already know there are pros and cons to every decision. You will always do it wrong in the eyes of some and at the same time right in the eyes of others. You don't know your future buyer either.

Good luck with your decision. Wishing you the nicest hardwood floors for an affordable price.

There are different kinds of white oak flooring for many reasons..... First, some of the newer products that are manufactured or engineered wood floor products are veneered, and those vary in the thickness and cut of the veneer, while the more traditional hardwood floors are made with solid wood. Even with solid wood floors, the wood can be cut in different ways (remember someone earlier mentioning rift cut?) which will give it a different look. In addition, in solid wood floors there are 4 different grades which affect the appearance. And finally, some flooring, whether veneered or solid, is prefinished, while others are meant to be installed and then finished in place. The prefinished product evidently have a small bevel at the edge of the boards which seems like it would be a grime catcher in a kitchen.

You can look this up online; here is one article but there may be others that are better; I didn't spend much time searching: https://www.flooring-professionals.com/flooring-resources/choosing-the-right-hardwood-grade/ .

I recommend posting a question on Houzz along the lines of -- "what kind of wood floor should I use with my cherry cabinets" and then hopefully the person that I found so helpful with my earlier flooring questions will reply ( SJ McCarthy ).

Another strategy would be to arrange for a free in-home estimate from the local flooring installer most highly recommended in your neighborhood, and ask them to bring samples of the wood products that he would use, which might be very different than the ones you have been seeing in the stores you have visited.

I wish I saved pics of all my samples. Here is one of a floor I liked but I dont think goes. I think its white oak.

Naomi - I think it's fine, not great but fine. I had natural red oak floors with my cherry cabinets. The problem is that the oil based poly on the floor turns orange over time. The water based poly should not turn, but also is not that durable. Try to figure out what you actually want, and the look you are going for. Do you have photos of kitchens you love? What kind of cabinets do they have? I finally decided that I really had enough of my cherry cabinets but instead of painting them, I'm going to replace them as there are some changes I'd like to make in the layout. It's better to get what you want, than to compromise with something that's ok, but doesn't make your heart sing.

Yeah I started wondering about that. Even if it's not maple it will turn orange or yellow because it's a light floor and its oil poly? How do I know what poly it is if its prefinished? Thank you for all your comments and feedback by the way!

Out of curiosity, how quickly would a wood floor turn orange?

Naomi - you may not have a problem with a pre finished floor. I have regular hardwood that needs to be sanded and refinished, so I was the one picking the type of poly. I am in the process of remodeling now, so the cabinets are coming out and the floors will be refinished and re stained. I am going dark this time, as they will look great with the white cabinets and the oil based poly will turn, but wont be noticeable on a dark floor. Engineered hardwood may not have the same issues, but also doesn't have the same longevity. They usually can only be refinished once. You would have to ask the flooring company about color changes that occur with time, but who knows what they will say in order to sell product.

tartanmeup - It depends on the light in the space. I've seen it happen in as little as a few years.

Thanks, Design Girl.

The photo I sent earlier, with the solid oak floor next to cherry cabinets, is white oak that was finished with water based polyurethane in 2003 or earlier. So over 15 years and it's still pretty natural looking. It's in a room with a west-facing sliding glass door and a skylight above, so a fair amount of sun. It doesn't look orange at all. Other rooms in the same house have the same flooring with the original finish from 1978 which is oil based poly and it has ambered some.

Naomi, I wonder if the flooring in the photo you attached just now is what is called luxury vinyl plank (LVP) also called "click floor" since the pieces click together? I didn't mention that in my tiresome summary of the many kinds of white oak since it isn't actually wood. However these floors look ALOT like wood and many people are using them throughout their homes because they are waterproof, easy-care, more economical than real wood, and fairly easy to install. While most of the LVP is meant to look like wood, instead of stone or tile, etc., I can understand that it might be hard to find one that looks good next to a natural wood like cherry. Most of the LVP that I have seen tend to have a pronounced woodgrain pattern to be dramatic or something. But what might work best with the cabinets could be something pretty bland, maybe so bland it was overlooked!

maybe this picture's can give you an idea for some different colors

For me it depends on the construction of the cabinets. If they are plywood boxes, I'd keep them and get new doors made. If they are particle board, I honestly would take them out, put in nice new base cabs and open shelves (which I actually cannot stand but it saves money, it's on trend, and it's easy to take them out later and add wall cabs when budget recovers).

Water based floor finishes are every bit as durable as oil based ones. The UV cured ones are the most durable of all. Jeesh. What a bunch of nonsense and forcefully ignorant opinion is being spouted off here. Get a new box of Cracker Jacks for a new faux title if you’re going to bludgeon people to death without an actual Pro account that lists your real name and pictures of your actual paid work to judge your real work skills by.